Fencibles

Fencibles (from the word defencible) were military units raised in the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries for the purpose of defending against foreign invasion during times of war. The first fencible units were raised in Scotland in 1759 during the Seven Years' War as the Scottish militia was not then active over concerns stemming from the Jacobite risings. In contrast to the militia, Fencible units were regular troops who could be stationed anywhere in the British Isles and whose officers were appointed by the Crown, though although like the militia were generally exempt from overseas service.

Fencible units were again raised during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, playing a major role in the suppression of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, naval militia forces known as the Sea Fencibles and River Fencibles were raised for coastal defence duties. Several fencible units were raised for service in Canada and fought in the War of 1812.